Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Claire caught red-handed!

Just in A few months ago we pointed out, and the NY Times reported, that the lobbying activity of the Claire Shulman-led Flushing/Willets/Point/Corona LDC were a violation of the group's not-for-profit-status. As if there wasn't enough evidence available to make a prima facia case, here is a letter from not only Shulman, but one that is co-signed by Queens BP Marshall and Congressman Joe Crowley (who doubles in the apolitical post as Democratic county leader).

In it, the co-signatories implore the city council to approve the Willets Point development: "We are writing to urge you to support the City's plan to remediate and redevelop Willets Point, Queens...As council members you hold the key to the future of Willets Point, and we ask you to vote for the project and insure it comes true."

That friends is as clear an indication of the overtly political activities of this astroturf operation as anything we have seen-which brings us back to the fact that official complaints have been filed with the NYS Attorney General and the Internal Revenue Service. But as of yet, the response must have been lost in the mail.case you might have had some questions about the relevant statute that Shulman has been violating-so far with impunity-we refer you to the relevant section of the IRS code: Section 501 (C)(3). In it, we read the following: "Thus, 501(C)(3) prohibits qualifying organizations {not-for-profits} from participation in any political campaign and limits the amount of permissable legislative activity. If the organization engages in substantial legislative activities...the organization is an 'action' organization and exemption will be denied."

Well, as Shulman herself admitted to the Times, "substantial legislative activity" was the raison d'être of her little lobbying entity-and almost her entire half million or so public dollars were in fact misused precisely for the purpose of "excessive" legislative influencing. So what happened to the impartiality of the law here?

No one should be placed above the law-and there are those in Queens County who are going after a certain legislator with hammer and tongs because of the principle that, not only is no one above the law, but that elected officials need to be judged by a higher standard. Well, in that case, the Mayor Bloomberg, BP Marshall, and Congressman Crowley-all of whom aided and abetted the Shulman violation of the law-should be admonished; and the LDC itself disbanded and fined for all of the back taxes it has accrued while operating illegally as a tax exempt organization.

The content below contains all of Subchapter 2 Regulation of Lobbying. To see the entire Administration Code of the City of New York with cross section links, please visit the Laws of the City of New York section of www.nyc.gov.

New York City Administrative Code Title 3 Elected Officials Chapter 3 City Council and City ClerkSubchapter 2 Regulation of Lobbying

§ 3-219 Obligations of lobbyists. Any person who is required to file a statement of registration under this subchapter has the following obligations: a. To abstain from doing any act, with the express purpose and intent of placing a member of the city council, the mayor or any officer or employee charged by law with making a decision on a matter pending or proposed, under personal obligation to him or her or to his or her employer.b. Never to knowingly deceive or attempt to deceive a member of the city council, the mayor or any officer or employee charged by law with making a decision on a local law, resolution or matter pending or proposed, as to any material fact pertinent to any pending or proposed local law, resolution or matter.c. Never to cause or influence the introduction of any local law or resolution at the city council for the purpose of thereafter being employed to secure its granting, denial, confirmation, rejection, passage or defeat.d. To abstain from any attempt to create a fictitious appearance of public favor or disfavor of any proposed local law or resolution before the city council or to cause any communication to be sent to a member of the city council, or the mayor, or any officer or employee charged by law with making a decision on a matter pending or proposed, in the name of any fictitious person or in the name of any real person, except with the consent of such real person.e. Not to represent, either directly or indirectly through word of mouth or otherwise, that he or she can control or obtain the vote or action of the mayor, any member of the city council, or any employee or officer of the city charged by law with making a decision on a matter pending or proposed, or the approval or disapproval of an local law or resolution by the mayor of the city of New York.f. Not to represent or solicit representation of, an interest adverse to such person's employer nor to represent employers whose interests are known to such person to be adverse.g. To retain all books, papers and documents necessary to substantiate the financial reports required to be made under this subchapter for a period of five years.

Dont rush to call others morons. Think for yourself first...Why would Bloomburg spend millions getting re-elected to a position if there was no personal gain for him. He is a businessman first and foremost. So I wouldnt trust too much of what he says. He's going to tell you what you want to hear, and hope you beleive it, as most people did - thats why he's been re-elected.

Yeah, Bloomburg gets $1 a year. By getting such a small amount, he pays less taxes at the end of the year. He does the $1 a year to help his tax status, yet everyone thinks this is so wonderful. Just another millionaire getting richer.

I'm wondering when Claire will be fitted for her orange jumpsuit. This has been going on for a long time. She should be in jail already serving her time. When is she going to be held accountable for breaking the law?

"Glad to see that they didn't forget to feed Kelty and Apelian. Is it any wonder that north Queens is going to hell?"

If those 2 board members are targeted..what about the rest of the CB#7 members? What are they getting from all of this? No wonder that Up"Chuck" and "Gene"ius are always taking the side of the developers over the needs of the community. They run the board meetings like a dictatorship. Sig Heil! Right, Adolf? BRING IN THE FEDS!!!

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